Joey Lawrence -- Painful Script Ripped My Cornea

8/27/2010 6:00 AM PDT BY TMZ STAFF

Joey Lawrence is a sight for sore eyes -- according to source on the set of his new show, the actor "ripped his cornea" during rehearsal yesterday ... when someone jabbed him in the eye with a script.

Here's how it all went down ... Joey was standing behind his co-star Melissa Joan Hart on the set of "Melissa & Joey" when another actor, who was holding a script in one hand, leaned in to hug Melissa.

According to eyewitnesses, the script-holder underestimated his reach ... and accidentally stabbed Joey right in the peeper.

We're told Joey immediately went to see a doctor -- and learned the script-jab "ripped his cornea." Sources tell us Joey's eye is healing well and he'll be back at work tomorrow night.